Clothes-line support.



Patented Mar. 19, 1918.

ammutoz TAT EN FEQE.

CLOTHES-LINE SUPPORT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 19, 1918.

Application filed August 9, 1917. Serial No. 185,334.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN N. MCGRIFI, a citizen of the United States,residing at Anderson, in the county of Madison and State of Indiana,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clothes-Line Supports; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in clothesline props or the like.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a clothes prop whichcan be quickly folded when not in use, and which can be adjusted so asto support the clothes line at various heights.

Another object of the invention is to provide the upper end of theclothes prop with a means for engaging the clothes line to prevent thelatter from becoming disengaged accidentally from the prop.

A further object of the invention is to generally improve upon devicesof this class by the provision of an extremely simple, strong, durableand inexpensive construction, one which will be efiicient and reliablein operation and well adapted to the purpose for which it is designed.

With these and numerous other objects in view, the invention consists ofcertain novel features of construction, and the combination andarrangement of parts as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the application and inwhich similar reference characters designate like parts throughout theseveral views,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a clothes line prop constructed inaccordance with this invention.

Figs. 2 and 3 are vertical sectional views through the overlapping endsof the two sections of the prop illustrating the different positions ofthe cam. Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view taken on the line H of Fig. 2.Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper end of the uppersection of the prop. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the lower sectionof the prop and Fig. 7 is a plan view of the upper end of the uppersection.

As clearly illustrated in the drawings, the clothes prop consists ofupper and lower longitudinally adjustable members 1 and 2 respectively,the upper end of the lower member 2 overlapping the lower end of theupper member 1 and having a vertically disposed notch 3 therein.Disposed within the notch 8 and eccentrically pivoted between the sidewalls thereof is a cam member 4, said cam having its inner portionpositioned for engagement with the adjacent side of the upper member 1to lock the members 1 and 2 in their longitudinally adjusted positions.

Surrounding the upper end of the member 2 and the member 1 is a metallicband 5 said band being formed from a single strip of flat material andbeing secured in any suitable manner to one'side of the member 2.

Projecting inwardly from the upper edge of one side of the band 5 is alaterally bent wing 6 which is disposed over the upper end or top of themember 2 to provide a cover for the notch 3. Arranged in one side of theband 5 adjacent the outer end of the notch 3 is an opening 7, andthrough this opening 7, projects a portion of the cam 4, this portion ofthe cam being adapted to be engaged when it is desired to release thecam from engagement with the member 1.

Surrounding the lower end of the member 1 and the member 2 and securedto member 1 is another band 8. The bands 5 and 8 form guide members forconnecting the members 1 and 2 together so that they may be adjustedlongitudinally with respect to each other to prevent them from lateraldisplacement.

To limit the folding or telescoping movement of the members 1 and 2 themember 2 is provided with a stop 9, here shown in the form of anordinary screw. If desired the lower end of the member 2 may be providedwith a suitable cap or plate 10 to pre vent wearing of this end. Theupper end of the member 1 is provided with a shallow notch 11 which isdesigned to receive the clothes line. To prevent the clothes line propfrom slipping out of the notch 11 a spring clip is provided. This clipcomprises a single length of wire 12 doubled upon itself midway of itsends and disposed over the upper end or top of the member 1. The wire isthen bent downwardly along one side of the member 1 and has its endsextended inwardly into the latter. Surrounding the upper end of thismember and secured thereto is a metallic band 13. This band 13 isprovided with tongues 14 which are bent inwardly into the ends of thenotch 11 to protect the same against wear.

Assuming that the clothes prop is folded and it is desired to use thesame, it is only necessary to move the members 1 and 2 longitudinallyuntil the desired height or length is obtained. If the prop is held insubstantially an upright position while this is done, the cam 4 willautomatically engage the adjacent side of the member 1 and lock the twomembers in their adjusted positions, this automatic action being due tothe fact that the cam is eccentrically mounted so that the force ofgravity normally holds it in engagement with the member 1. The clothesline is then slipped under the wire 12 until it enters the notch 11, andwill be held in place therein by said wire. To fold the device theportion of the cam l which projects through the opening 2 in the band 5is pressed downwardly by the finger thus rocking the cam and moving itfrom engagement with the member 1. This member 1 may then be moveddownwardly to its lowermost position. The clothes line may then bedisengaged from the prop or this may be done before the prop is folded.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings the construction, use and operation of the devicewill be readily understood without a more extended explanation. 7

As various changes in form, proportion, and the minor details ofconstruction may 80111:: of this patent may be obtained for five centseach. by addressing Washington, D. 0.

be resorted to without departing from the spirit'of this invention, itis to be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the constructionherein shown and described other than as claimed.

I claim A clothes line prop or the like comprising upper and lowerlongitudinally adjustable members, the upper end of the lower 7 memberoverlapping the lower end of the upper member and having a verticalnotch therein, a cam disposed in said notch and eccentrically pivotedbetween the walls thereof, said cam engagingthe other memher for lockingsaid members against longitudinal closing movement, a band surroundingsaid members and secured to the upper end of the lower member to form aguide for the upper member, said band having a JOHN N. MCGRIFFQWitnesses:

N. F. SMITH,- QUINCY McGRIrr.

the "Commissioner of 28mm,

